An aggressive Biden calms jittery Democrats

Richard S. Dunham, Hearst Newspapers

Updated 12:27 am, Friday, October 12, 2012

Photo: Win McNamee, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) shakes hands with Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) participate in the vice presidential debate as moderator Martha Raddatz looks on at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the ... more

Photo: Alex Wong, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) speaks as Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) listens in the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) speaks as Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) listens in the vice presidential debate at Centre College October ... more

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) participate in the vice presidential debate as moderator Martha Raddatz looks on at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) participate in the vice presidential debate at Centre College on October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Rick Wilking-Pool/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) participate in the vice presidential debate at Centre College on October 11, ... more

Photo: Pool, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) speaks during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) speaks during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the ... more

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) participate in the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) participate in the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, ... more

Photo: Alex Wong, Getty Images

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Jill Biden, center, wife of Vice President Joe Biden watches before to the start of the vice presidential debate, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012 at Centre College in Danville, Ky. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Jill Biden, center, wife of Vice President Joe Biden watches before to the start of the vice presidential debate, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012 at Centre College in Danville, Ky. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Jill Biden, center, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, sits with her sons Beau Biden, left, and Hunter Biden, right, before the start of the vice presidential debate, at Centre College in Danville, Ky., Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) less

Jill Biden, center, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, sits with her sons Beau Biden, left, and Hunter Biden, right, before the start of the vice presidential debate, at Centre College in Danville, Ky., ... more

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) participate in the vice presidential debate at Centre College on October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Rick Wilking-Pool/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) participate in the vice presidential debate at Centre College on October 11, ... more

Photo: Pool, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the ... more

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) participate in the vice presidential debate as moderator Martha Raddatz looks on at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) listens during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) listens during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden listens during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden listens during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the ... more

Photo: Alex Wong, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the ... more

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) participate in the vice presidential debate as moderator Martha Raddatz looks on at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) stand on stage during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) stand on stage during the vice presidential debate at Centre College ... more

Photo: Alex Wong, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) shakes hands with Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (C) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) participate in the vice presidential debateas moderator Martha Raddatz (L) looks on at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) listens during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) listens during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the ... more

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) participate in the vice presidential debate as moderator Martha Raddatz looks on at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) participate in the vice presidential debate as moderator Martha Raddatz looks on at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (C) shakes hands with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (R) as moderator Martha Raddatz looks on at the end of the vice presidential debate at Centre College on October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (C) shakes hands with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (R) as moderator Martha Raddatz looks on at the end of the vice ... more

Photo: Pool, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and wife Janna Ryan walk off the stage after the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and wife Janna Ryan walk off the stage after the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in ... more

Photo: Win McNamee, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (R) greets Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-WI) wife Janna Ryan at the end of the vice presidential debate at Centre College on October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (R) greets Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-WI) wife Janna Ryan at the end of the vice presidential debate at Centre ... more

Photo: Pool, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) meets with family after the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) meets with family after the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. ... more

Photo: Win McNamee, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden meets with family after the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden meets with family after the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates ... more

Photo: Alex Wong, Getty Images

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: Janna Biden (C)speaks with Jill Biden (R) as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) look on after the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) less

DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: Janna Biden (C)speaks with Jill Biden (R) as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) look on after the vice presidential ... more

"He energized the Democratic base, which was disillusioned after President Obama's debate performance last week," said Aaron Kall, director of debate at the University of Michigan. "At the very worst for him, the debate was a draw."

Both sides claimed victory after the 90-minute encounter at Centre College -- and, indeed, both tickets have reason to be pleased. Neither candidate committed a headline-grabbing gaffe and both nominees spoke in carefully modulated sound bites that will appeal to their parties' core supporters.

"Traditionally, vice presidential debates don't have too much of an impact on the overall shape of the race," said David Lanoue, a political scientist at Columbus State University in Georgia. "And this one probably won't either."

While Biden attacked Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan on issues ranging from tax cuts to Iran, the Wisconsin congressman appeared cool and unconcerned. He gave no ground and occasionally counterattacked. In response to Biden's attacks on his proposals for Social Security and Medicare, he declared, "This is what politicians do when they don't have a record to run on."

The vice president showed little respect for his opponent, 27 years his junior. He grinned, chuckled and shook his head at what he called the "malarkey" being spewed by Ryan.

"It looks dismissive," said David Worth, director of forensics at Rice University. "If three words into the response he's already shaking his head, he's not listening."